Men: What’s your T? This question should not be confused with “What’s the tea?” which is when someone is asking you to share scandalous gossip. In this case, we’re talking about testosterone. Important difference. Knowing where your testosterone levels are at is a valuable way to measure a male’s overall health. Feel crappy? It may be low-T.
Simply put, says OBGYN Doug Woodford, MD, whose Florence, Alabama practice is solely dedicated to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, “testosterone elevates everything good and lowers everything bad.” Hormones in men do the same amount of regulating as they do in women, which should cancel out any forthcoming remarks about women having hormone-related mood swings.
When testosterone is at a healthy level[1] a man’s overall mood and energy levels are better, his risk for heart attack and stroke is lower, bones are strengthened, brain functions improve (resulting in better fewer accidents and better memory power), and libido is up.
Low testosterone, on the other hand, can reverse those benefits while also reducing muscle mass and increasing fat distribution, and can also lead to hot flashes and hair loss.
But replacing testosterone is just part of overall wellness, says Woodford.
“If you’re coming in at 50 and say you want to live at home until you’re 95, and that’s your goal, there’s basically five components of that,” says the doctor.
- Diet. Choose foods that are low in sugar, starch, saturated fats and refined carbohydrates. Instead, choose a wide range of colorful fruits and vegetables, eat fish at least twice a week and get plenty of fiber (30 grams a day if you’re older 50, 38 grams for younger men)[2].
- Sleep. “You cannot age healthy if you’re not getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night,” says Woodford.
- Exercise. This extends to both the brain and body. Balance aerobic and strength-training activities several times a week with cognitive exercises—anything from learning a new language to doing the New York Times
- Adequate vitamins and minerals. This should be accounted for in your colorful and balanced diet, but in case it isn’t, talk to your doctor about recommendations for multivitamins.
- Hormones. This means making sure hormones are at optimal levels—both testosterone and estrogen (yes, men, your bodies make both), as well as your progesterone, pregnenolone, cortisol and thyroid levels.
Getting to the optimal level varies by person. If your doctor tests your hormone levels (a simple blood test) and discovers your testosterone isn’t where it’s supposed to be at, you may want to ask about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. This less-than-five-minute procedure implants a dose of hormone pellets directly under the skin, restoring testosterone levels to an ideal range within a week. A return visit typically isn’t required until around four months.
Woodford says only about 1-2 percent of patients see an increase in facial hair as a side effect, which depending on your look may actually be a bonus. Hormone replacement can also suppress sperm count, so Woodford says he advises men who still wanted to have children to talk to their doctor about this.
Dosing is of utmost importance here. Simpatra uses an advanced technology dosing system, providing the exact amount of hormones needed by each individual patient, in order to see the best results possible. This is half of the procedure’s success: It’s also important to make sure the hormone replacement pellets you receive are of the highest quality. Simpatra providers receive their pellets from reputable manufacturers.
To learn more about BHRT or to find a provider near you visit www.simpatra.health.
Disclaimer: The Simpatra website and blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Content from the Simpatra website and blog is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.The information provided on this website is intended for general consumer understanding only. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. As health and nutrition research continuously evolves, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information presented on this website.
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-testosterone
[2] https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthy-aging/healthy-eating-for-men